Rapper Max B, born Charly Wingate, has been released from prison after serving 16 years for his involvement in a 2007 armed robbery that resulted in a fatality.
Wingate, a Harlem native who rose to prominence in the mid-2000s, was initially convicted in 2009 on manslaughter and armed robbery charges and sentenced to 75 years in federal prison. Although he was not physically present at the crime scene, prosecutors argued that he played a role in orchestrating the robbery. In 2016, his conviction was vacated after his legal team successfully demonstrated a conflict of interest in his original representation, leading to a sentence reduction to 20 years.
During his incarceration, Max B continued to record music, often over the phone. His projects included the 2011 album Vigilante Season and the 2019 single Hold On with longtime collaborator French Montana. He also contributed to Kanye West’s The Life of Pablo and Wiz Khalifa’s Kush + Orange Juice 2. Montana was among the first to greet Max B upon his release, celebrating the reunion on social media.
Upon his release, Wingate shared a triumphant message on social media: “ITS TIME TO OPEN THE FLOOD GATES.” He was later spotted attending the AFC inter-divisional game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns, dressed in a full Louis Vuitton outfit, and described himself as “fresh out the can” while expressing gratitude for his newfound freedom.
Max B indicated that he plans to continue pursuing music and encouraged others to embrace their individuality and live authentically.#newsafro_
